Oof, this fall and winter is going to be rough for fitness and workout lovers. With the pandemic still in full swing, we’ve already been limiting our time outside around others.
And while the colder weather and holiday season already makes us want to curl up and hibernate, COVID-19 is having us double down on isolating and minimizing outdoor/gym time.
If this has you feeling nervous--don’t be! We have time-saving solutions to make working out indoors and around home seem like no sweat.
Keep Your Heart Happy
According to the American Heart Association, the average person needs at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week to remain healthy; although 5 hours is ideal to reap the most benefits [1]. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans today do not even meet the minimum amount weekly.
We can change this: did you know that even simple household tasks count towards physical activity, like gardening, vacuuming, and cleaning? Those certainly can be done at home and keep your space clean--it’s a win-win!
However, don’t be fooled: while everyday tasks do burn calories, you still need to make time for exercise in your schedule [2].
But good news: you don’t have to be an Olympian athlete to keep your heart happy and remain physically fit! 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise is all that is required to maintain optimal health
On a fitness or weight management journey and have to stay indoors? For those of us who want to continue rigorous workouts or meet our fitness goals, try these three tips below.
Freebies on Workout Apps
We can thank technology and apps for making exercise more accessible to everyone than ever!
Try downloading a step tracker if you don’t have one on your phone yet, and try out a few fitness apps that will show you how to do specific routines you’ve never tried before!
The best part is most of these apps and online fitness channels will modify routines for you if you have a medical or physical condition. There are even a few apps that get you in touch with a live personal trainer virtually!
AND due to the pandemic, a lot of popular apps and channels such as Beachbody, Livestrong, and Daily Burn are giving huge discounts and trial periods so you can safely work out at home!
Video Gaming While Working Out
Gone are the days of video gaming being seen as a lazy activity! Nintendo was one of the first to create fitness games for the Wii, and Just Dance is an arcade-inspired fitness game for you dance fanatics out there.
Since the early 2000s, a steady stream of games have been made for all different types of consoles. Some of the newer games make it feel like you are in a role-playing story-based game, which requires you to complete vigorous physical sequences in order to progress. Sure--you’ll sweat, but it’ll take the chore out of your fitness routine!
Zoom Dance Parties
Stay with us here...host a weekly dance party with friends and family! An hour of dancing burns a ton of calories. Bonus? This is also great for your emotional health. The winter sans-contact with your loved ones can be really difficult and take a serious mental toll.
Zoom hangouts are a great way to have fun and stay in touch with each other. Maybe even try reaching out to a few people you haven’t seen in a couple of years--you’d be amazed by how much you can catch up while dancing your cares away!
Support Your Energy Levels
Before you try any of these home workouts, you need the motivation to actually do the workout, right?
Ugh, but that’s so hard when you’re snuggled up on the couch in front of the T.V. while the cold winter air is blowing outside.
The reason you might be fatigued and lack the energy to move is that you are getting less vitamin D through sunlight than you do in the warmer months.
Some people are also lacking the right amount of vitamin Bs, which fight fatigue and convert calories into energy. It’s likely that you are vitamin-deficient in some areas; over 90% of Americans today are [4].
Consult with your medical provider and try adding all-natural vitamin D and B-complex vitamin supplements to your daily regimen to support boosted energy levels during the winter. For further support, try our Essential Energy Bundle, now discounted for a limited time!
Sources:
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults?gclid=CjwKCAjwzIH7BRAbEiwAoDxxTjc8ucXJgRRof2QmJZnenddzh-GUo_4hr8DTr9qQud64hlAws6e3HhoCIPIQAvD_BwE
- https://www.livescience.com/40523-housework-exercise-physical-activity.html
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/moderate-and-vigorous-physical-activity/#:~:text=Moderate%2Dintensity%20activities%20are%20those,at%203%20to%206%20METs.
- https://thebiostation.com/bioblog/nutrient-iv-therapy/do-you-have-vitamin-deficiency/
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Written by Annie-Eliza Stevens